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CRESTWOOD, IL—The Windy City ThunderBolts (8-15) avoided some drama and were able to edge Schaumburg 9-5 at Standard Bank Stadium Tuesday evening.  The win over the Boomers (13-10) was the third consecutive victory for the ‘Bolts, which is a season high.

Windy City struck first for the 3^rd consecutive game as the ThunderBolts pushed across 3 runs in the opening frame.  Ryan Soares wasted no time for the offense to begin as he lined a 1-0 pitch over the left field wall for a quick 1-0 ThunderBolt lead.  Andrew Brauer brought two more home with a two-out double.

The ThunderBolts opened the lead in the 4^th inning manufacturing four more runs.  CJ Gillman grounded into a fielder’s choice which allowed Andrew Brauer to score making it 5-0 Windy City.  Soares then singled home Gillman, Mike Torres sacrificed home Harkensee, and Chad Cregar brought home Soares with a single as well.  At the end of the 4^th, the TunderBolts were leading by seven.

The offense didn’t end there for the home team as Harkensee pushed another run doubling home Gillman.

The 5^th inning provided some drama for Windy City as Schaumburg scored 5 runs in the top of the frame.  With two outs and the bases loaded Daniel Cropper walked Brian McConkey to force in the first run for the Boomers.  Sean Mahley then cleared the bases with a two-out double.  That chased Cropper out of the game and bringing in Jessie Snodgrass.  The Windy City reliever walked the two batters he faced, forcing Manager Ron Biga to bring in Tyler Claburn.  The new righty on the mound for Windy City then hit Craig Hertler forcing in another run and cutting the ThunderBolts’ lead to 8-5.

Windy City got one of those runs back in the bottom of the 6^th, as Zach Aakhus, who first reached second on a single and an error, came around to score on two wild pitches.

Cropper (2-1) earned the win after 5.2 innings of work, giving up five runs on six hits.  Mike Giovenco (1-3) grabbed the loss allowing eight runs in five innings pitched. 

Windy City will go for their fourth straight win as they host the Boomers tomorrow at 6:05 p.m.  Travis Strong (0-3, 7.32) will go on the bump for Windy City against Schaumburg’s Danny Jimenez (1-2, 4.66).  Fans that cannot make it to the game can tune into the broadcast on 88.3 FM WXAV and wxav.com

Box Score